For many years leading European food retailers have been following a strict non-GMO policy. Retailers are the parties most concerned when it comes to GMO regulation. For them, the proper implementation of the ECJ ruling is crucial, writes Heike Moldenhauer.

Both the current Austrian and incoming Romanian presidencies asked rapporteur Paolo De Castro to return to the negotiating table 'in the spirit of Christmas' for an unexpected final round on unfair trade practice (UTPs) scheduled for today (19 December).

Brushing aside pressure from EU retailers, the European Parliament gave Paolo De Castro, a socialist MEP and rapporteur for unfair trade practices, the mandate on Thursday (25 October) to immediately start trilogue negotiations on the issue with the EU Council and Commission.